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Title: Together in the Lord....and in Family Systems That Also Bind |
Workshop:
A personal faith commitment, a solid theological foundation, and well-honed
skills all contribute to the person and work of the pastor. But also greatly
influencing the pastor and the pastoral experience are family patterns and
experiences which we bring with us from the family in which we grew up, since
these inevitably come to expression in our pastoral ministry. In this workshop
we will work to identify, better understand, and learn to modify some of the powerful ties that all too often "bind" us in ways that are not helpful. Our focus will be on family rules (boundaries), invisible loyalties, learned stress styles, and "secular decalogues," and the three family systems in which every pastor participates.
Presenters:
For the past 30 years Carol and Peter Schreck have been on the faculty of Palmer Theological Seminary--Eastern University. Their major teaching responsibilities have been in the Seminary’s D.Min. program in Ministry to Marriage and Family, and Peter has been the program’s academic director for the past seven years. In addition to their work as seminary faculty, they are co-directors of Kairos Counseling Services, where each also maintains a part-time practice in marriage and family counseling.
The Schrecks frequently serve as speakers at conferences and workshop leaders for churches, professional organizations, and other interest groups, on topics related to marriage and family. Though primarily involved in ministry within the US, they have taught at seminaries in Switzerland, Russia and Nigeria. Trained as PAIRS teachers, they regularly offer this psycho-educational marriage training course for couples to seminary students and church groups.
Carol received her graduate training in counseling at Azusa Pacific University (M.A.) and Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary (D.Min); Peter completed theological studies at Gordon-Conwell Seminary (M.Div.) and Princeton Seminary (Th.M.) and received a clinical psychology degree at Fuller Graduate School of Psychology (Ph.D.). Both are licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, with Carol also being certified as an AAMFT clinical supervisor.
Ordained as an ABC minister, Peter has served as pastor to congregations in Massachusetts and California. Carol is an ordained elder in the PCUSA. She and Peter attend Wayne Presbyterian Church.
Married for 44 years, the Schrecks have two adult children and four grandchildren.